The Louvre -- Ancient Near East

Those of you regular readers not into the Art History stuff I post, skip this! I post these mostly to document and solidify my understanding of what I've seen and learned.

Dated at 2450BC, "The Stele of Vulture" named because of this bird" is one of the oldest depiction of a historical event. King Eannatum has trapped defeated soldiers in his net.

King Eannatum leads his soldiers into battle behind a shield and trampling their enemies

An ox is about to become a sacrifice with cuneiform writing

The Stele of Vultures provides insight into Sumerian society, the nature of warfare and the stature of King Eannanum.

Gudea, Prince of Lagash. He was one of the great rulers of Sumeria and built many temples to honor god, Ningirsu..





Gudea, full chest indicating health and prosperity, holds in his lap plans of a temple to Ningirsu.

Stele of Naram Sim (2254BC) commemorates the defeat of the Lullibi by the Akkadians. It's one of the first times we see the rejection of registers. Is the King scaling the ladder to heaven? King Sargon's forces march in step, but the enemies are in a disordered array.

King Sargon steps on his enemies as they beg for mercy.

King Sargon, the highest and biggest figure on the stele, wears horns signifying divinity!

Stele of Hammurabi (Law Codes of Hammurabi), King of Babylon (1760BC). Inscribed this diorite stele are the 282 laws of Hammurabi.

Just the stele itself is beautiful regardless of its historical importance.

Here's a sample of the writing (although from a different stele)

At the top of the stele, Hammurabi (standing) receives the rod and rope from the seated god of justice.

The Lamassu (Winged Bulls) from the Palace of Sargon II (720BC)

Uh yeah, they're HUGE. These 14-feet tall bulls with human faces guarded the entrace of the throne room of King Sargon II.

Note the they have 5 legs. From the front, the Lamassu are standing, but from the side, they are in motion.

Sargon II (on right) receive a dignitary. The set of Sargon friezes are as large as Lamassu and were on display in the palace of King Sargon II.

The next panel shows soldiers in his defense as well as bringing the King transport.

Servants bringing table, chair and food.

Again, huge panels, this time showing the transport of cedars from modern day Lebanon to Assyria to build his palace.

And the unloading of the cedars.

Bringing the materials to the build site.

Sea life along the journey. What is amazing to me is this is the way stories are told and preserved.

Queen Napir-Su of Elam (1350BC) She is a votive offering. Note the cylindrical form, but there is femininity in the hands and fingers. The hands over the full belly might indicate fertility to ensure dynastic succession.

Amazingly, the statue of Queen Napir-Su is SOLID BRONZE. She weights 3,760 pounds (WOW).

Persepolis, in modern day Iran, is the source of much of our knowledge of ancient Persian art and society. Here's a capitol from the apadana at Persepolis.  

These "hunters" were on the face of the apadana. It's unfortunate that modern politics precludes us from getting to see Persepolis.